Orlando, Florida - U.S. District Judge John Antoon, II, today sentenced RICKY DOUGLAS HAYNES, JR., age 32, of Titusville, Florida, to 322 months in federal prison on two multiple-count indictments charging him with three counts of possession with the intent to distribute five grams or more of cocaine base (“crack” cocaine); carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon - armed career criminal. In addition to the twenty-six year prison sentence, HAYNES also must serve eight years in a supervised release program and pay a $500 special monetary assessment. HAYNES previously had pled guilty to the charges on June 25, 2007. The co-defendant, SHAKIRA ROBINSON, having previously entered a guilty plea to misprision of a felony, was sentenced today to 13 months’ imprisonment, followed by one year of supervised release.

According to the evidence, HAYNES manufactured and sold "crack" from a rented residence at 1655 Leach Court, Titusville, Florida. Based upon an anonymous complaint regarding drug-trafficking from the residence and further investigation, the City of Titusville Police Department executed a search warrant at the home on July 21, 2006. Officers discovered "crack" cocaine intended for distribution, cannabis, a loaded firearm, a digital scale and other “crack” cocaine production paraphernalia. HAYNES also made two video-taped sales of “crack” cocaine to an undercover officer in late 2006. This case represents the culmination of a cooperative effort between the United States Attorney’s Office, the State Attorney’s Office for Brevard/Seminole Counties, the City of Titusville Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”). This is another case prosecuted as a part the Department of Justice program “Project Safe Neighborhoods” - a nationwide gun violence reduction initiative with strong support from ATF. Acting United States Attorney James R. Klindt is coordinating the cooperative effort here in the Middle District of Florida with federal, state and local law enforcement officials. In Brevard County, State Attorney Norm Wolfinger is calling the initiative "Operation Cease Fire." The objective is to reduce violent crime by locating and seizing unlawfully possessed guns and then swiftly prosecuting the offenders using both federal and state gun laws.

The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Craig S. Forrester of the Brevard County State Attorney's Office.